[HanCinema's Film Review] "Twenty Again - Movie"2016/03/26,
Min-gu (played by Kim Seung-woo) is a small time movie director who, like so many small time people in the industry, somehow manages to land on a film festival jury. This incidentally provides him with an excuse to spend a week in Italy. I don't know how much money the Italian Tourism Board gave writer/director Park Heung-shik to make "Twenty Again - Movie", but it was well-earned. At the slightest excuse the film veers off to another random location in Italy as its characters find excuses to talk about how great Italy is,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Midnight Diner"2015/09/26,
Korean drama is known for strong emotions and highly dramatic situations. At the same time, the topics explored are often quite limited and the approach to them quite repetitive. "Midnight Diner" is an odd show when looked at as a Korean drama. Perhaps staying closer to its story's Japanese origins, it is more understated and slow paced. This makes it an interesting mix of two very different types of storytelling. Does the mix work? Mostly very well,...More

[HanCinema's Drama First Look] "Midnight Diner"2015/07/19,
Different is not always good, but its existence always is. For a largely limited medium such as Korean drama, shows which step outside of the norm in some way are a push towards programming which covers not just one group's preferences, but those of many. "Midnight Diner" is a unique little show which has done poorly in the ratings, but might just offer the few who watch it a much needed breather and some comfort,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Preview] "Midnight Diner"2015/06/27,
Korean drama is not really entertainment known for its fresh stories. Even when they appear to be, a lot of them are based on other works, such as manhwa, webtoons or even works in other countries. "Midnight Diner" is itself based on a Japanese drama called 'Shinya Shokudo' and originally a manga. However, that does not change the fact that it can bring some much needed diversity to Korean drama,...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] "Heaven's Soldiers"2015/03/07,
In the modern day (technically ten years ago, since that was when the movie was made) North and South Korea are at a diplomatic impasse regarding nuclear weapons, and an ill-advised mission results in a small group of armed combatants from both countries meeting on hostile terms. Then something weird happens, and the whole motley crew is forced to admit that in the new situation, they have something more in common with each other than anybody else they can find. And that something is mostly their ability to stubbornly insist on arbitrary rules,...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] "Break Out" + Giveaway2014/04/25,
Hard-headed loser Bong-gu (played by Kim Seung-woo) is technically the main character of "Break Out", in that he has the most screentime, but none of the other characters are aware of this. Bum-soo (played by Kang Seong-jin) holds very strong opinions and won't shut up about them. Chul-gon (played by Cha Seung-won) is a gangster with a score to settle- specifically that he hasn't gotten paid yet. And Yeong-gab (played by Park Yeong-gyoo) pontificates the same campaign speech repeatedly with no regard to context.
What unites all these characters is their basic feeling of helplessness against a giant crazy system that doesn't care about them,...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] "The General's Son"2013/04/05,
Kim Doo-Han is a regular street beggar who's just happy to have any sort of stability. But as an excellent street fighter living in the streets of occupied Seoul, he quickly an essential part of the war to take back the streets from the Japanese. Or, more accurately, to keep the Japanese merchants and gangsters from encroaching any closer than they already are- as many humiliations and indignities as the Koreans have suffered, losing Jongno, the heart of Korea's traditional economic system, is just too much,...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] "Woman on the Beach"2013/03/22,
The beach, particularly an empty beach, is a very romantic locale. Film director Joong-rae (played by Kim Seung-woo) thinks it's just the location he needs to recharge his creative juices. While it soon becomes clear that the beach itself isn't what he was expecting, Joong-Rae finds another inspiration in the form of Moon-sook (played by Ko Hyeon-jeong), a woman who, much like him, is looking for an excuse to just get out and do something,...More

[Hancinema's Film Corner] Fighting?! Korean Cinema and the 'Mock Charge'2012/11/10,
The 'mock charge' is indeed a curious phenomenon in Korean cinema. This "threat of violence" is usually used when there is a real, or perceived, power difference between two parties; as well as a strong desire to express it. In modern Korean cinema it can be seen in almost all genres, and performed by, well, anyone really. This simulated act of aggression is now an iconic element performed by Korean actors, and actresses, and has become a hallmark of Korean cinema's power relations onscreen. But what is a 'mock charge' and how exactly is it used in Korean cinema?
The term is more commonly associated with large land mammals, and has been observed in the behaviour of elephants, lions, hippopotamuses, and rhinos. The idea is that when an animal feels threaten they will often perform a simulated action designed to ward off that threat,...More

"Iris 2" to be Directed by Pyo Min-soo2012/09/23, Source,
Director Pyo Min-soo is going to take control of "IRIS 2".
Pyo created the dramas, "Lie", "Full House", "Worlds Within" and others, earning himself the Baek Sang Grand Prize, Rookie Prize, the best drama chosen by the year 2000 media reporters, the best program chosen by viewers and more. He has been impressing people with his unique imagery and emotions so far but this time will take on the task of a spy action blockbuster drama,...More

Kang Ho-dong To Return To All 3 Main Networks2012/09/12, Source,
After his self-imposed hiatus following his tax evasion ordeal, the nation's MC, Kang Ho-dong, will be making his comeback to the small screen! According to insiders, Kang will be returning to all three of the main networks (SBS, MBC, and KBS) within the year. On SBS, there will be some broadcasting changes after the Korean Thanksgiving in the first week of October. One of those changes will include Kang's comeback. Kang has chosen "S tar King" as his first comeback program, a show that he used to MC before his hiatus. SBS officials mentioned that with one of their current MCs, Leeteuk, having to enlist in the military later this year, a change in the MC lineup was inevitable. So they figured, why not go back to the original MC Kang Ho-dong? There's also talks of brainstorming going on for a brand new variety show to start up next Spring, featuring Kang Ho-dong,...More

KBS' Highest-Paid Stars Revealed2012/08/28, Source, Sin Dong-yupSin Dong-yup was the highest-paid entertainer at terrestrial network KBS last year. Sin earned a total of W609.5 million (US$1=W1,137) as presenter of "Immortal Songs 2" and host of a talk show titled "Hello Counselor", according to data submitted by KBS on Monday to Democratic United Party lawmaker Jun Byung-hun of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports, Tourism, Broadcasting and Communications Committee,...More

Singer Sim admits incarceration after President Park's assassination2012/02/14, Source,
Sim Soo-bong
By Kwaak Je-yup
Sim Soo-bong, a singer and actress who found nationwide fame in the 1970s and '80s but remembered more for her turbulent career and personal life, revealed for the first time on television that she was incarcerated after the 1979 assassination of President Park Chung-hee.
"Even now it's still difficult for me to tell my story from (the day of the incident and its aftermath)", she said to Kim Seung-woo, in a recorded segment for his talk show "Win Win" on Tuesday,...More

"Miss Ripley" Micky Yuchun cries without NG2011/06/12, Source,
Actor Micky Yuchun made the shooting set solemn with his sorrowful emotional act.
Micky Yuchun, who is second generation plutocrat Song Yoo-hyeon in MBC drama "Miss Ripley" visited his mother's grave and cried, stimulating viewers tears as well. As his mother, actress Yang Mi-kyeong made a special appearance.,...More

Love, ambitions & lies in 'Miss. Ripley'2011/05/24, Source,
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Liars are dominating the small screen in the Monday/Tuesday time slot. Gong A-jeong of "Lie to Me on SBS is faking a marriage to defend her pride, while Lee So-yeong of "Babyfaced Beauty" on KBS lies about her age to get a job.
Another impostor is joining the race for fake lives - actress Lee Da-hae stars as Jang Mi-ri in MBC's new soap "Miss. Ripley", and this heroine is a woman of large caliber compared to other leading ladies.
Jang grew up in an orphanage and was adopted by a family in Japan. However, she had to survive on the streets before escaping to Korea. Life in Korea proves to be tough as well, as she finds employment difficult with just a high school degree, and she even gets sexually molested by an executive during a job interview,...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] Korean Weekend Box Office (2011.04.22-2011.04.24)2011/04/25, Korean Weekend Box Office (2011.04.22~2011.04.24)
Screaming into number one is the high octane and adrenaline packed "Fast Five". Staring the cool Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Ludacris and a host of others in thrill ride that surely won't disappoint action junkies. Justin Lin directs this lasted film in the "Fast and the Furious" series with 396,071 moviegoers rushing into Korean cinemas for it.,...More

Corrupt detective vs dumb detective vs incapable detective2011/04/18, Source, * Screen
Detectives are a regular subject in movies. They are the same jobs but they play a variation in movies and the most loved subject matter by directors. This springtime brings many movies with the subject of detectives.
# "I Am a Dad" – the relationship between a dad and a detective
"I Am a Dad" (directed by Jeon Man-bae and produced by Cicada in Memory) lead character is detective Jong-sik (Kim Seung-woo). He is the best at connecting puzzles and doesn't hesitate to hold hands with the bad,...More

Cultural news2011/04/15, Source,
What defines a father's love
[Interview : Kim Seung-woo, Role of "Jong-sik"] "I play a bad father who is unable to be there for his daughter".
[Interview : Kim Sae-ron, Role of "Min-ji"] "My character is a girl who doesn't speak to her father after a traumatic experience",...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] 71-Into the Fire2011/01/29, Before I watched "71-Into the Fire" (directed by Lee Jae-han), I was a little sceptical. Maybe it was that Choi Seung-hyeon (T.O.P from the Korean group Big Bang) was leading the charge in the film. I saw that the film did well in the theatre but I wasn't going to read too much into that when such a huge pop idol was up on screen; a ploy, I thought, to lure in his many followers and cash in on some media hype. Having now watched the film I can say that all my doubts have been laid to rest.,...More

Lee Kyung-kyu wins grand prize at KBS Entertainment Awards 2010/12/26, Source,
Comedia Lee Kyung-kyu [Asia Economic Daily]
Korean comedian Lee Kyung-kyu won the grand prize at the KBS Entertainment Awards held over the weekend.
At the awards ceremony held at KBS' Open Hall on Saturday, Lee was awarded the top honor for his role as emcee of KBS variety show segment "What Makes A Man", part of entertainment program "Happy Sunday", which is one of the most-watched shows in the country,...More

JYP is 5.8 billion won in debt2010/12/22, Source, Park Jin-young, 38, singer and producer of K-pop stars as head of management agency JYP Entertainment, has amassed huge debts, he told KBS2 TV talk show "Seung Seung Jang Gu" Tuesday night.
Park said he was 5.8 billion won in debt when asked how much he earned by main MC Kim Seung-woo. Park is the producer of famous pop idol bands such as 2AM, Wonder Girls and 2PM,...More

Korean War Movie - "71-Into the Fire"2010/12/04, Source,
The Korean War movie, "71-Into the Fire" is based on the true story of 71 students who fought hundreds of North Korean soldiers in front of a middle school in Po-hang, a significant place for safeguarding the other place where the main South Korean army was battling, during the Korean War.The Leading characters in this Korean war movie are played by Cha Seung-won (Park Mu Rang), kwon Sang-woo (Ku Kap Jo), Choi Seung-hyeon (Jung Bum), and Kim Seung-woo (Kang Suk-Dae). The fancy castings caught audiences' attention even before the Korean war movie was made,...More

Kim Seung-woo joins TV series "Athena" cast2010/08/03, Source,
Korean actor Kim Seung-woo in an official poster for TV series "IRIS" [Taewon Entertainment]
Korean actor Kim Seung-woo, who starred in blockbuster TV series "IRIS" last year, has joined the cast of its upcoming spin-off series "ATHENA", according to the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Tuesday.
Taewon announced in a press release that the actor will be reprising his role from the original series, playing North Korea's top intelligence agent Park Chul-young who holds the key secrets to solving the mysteries left behind by "IRIS",...More

Special screening of "71-Into the Fire" held in U.S.2010/07/29, Source,
Official movie poster for "71-Into the Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]
Korean war film "71-Into the Fire" has been shown in three cities in North America, according to movie's producer Taewon Entertainment on Thursday.
A press release from Taewon announced that special screenings for the film were held in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta on July 27, three days ahead of its premiere in fourteen other cities in the United States,...More

"71-Into The Fire" to open in 14 U.S. cities next month2010/06/30, Source,
Official movie poster for "71-Into the Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]
Korean war epic "71-Into the Fire" is set to open in fourteen major U.S. cities including New York and Los Angeles on July 30, according to the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Wednesday.
Taewon announced in a press release that the war pic will be showing at AMC, the biggest theater chain in the U.S., and MPARK4 Cinema theaters in various cities including Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington,...More

"Knight and Day" makes debut at No. 1 in local theaters 2010/06/28, Source,
Hollywood action comedy "Night & Day" [20th Century Fox]
Newly released Hollywood action comedy "Knight & Day" made its debut at No. 1 in Korean theaters over the weekend, knocking last week's winner "71-Into the Fire" down the chart.
Figures from the Korean Box Office System (KOBIS) released on Monday showed that "Knight and Day", which opened in theaters on June 24, was estimated to have brought in 465,145 admissions during the weekend of June 25 to 27,...More

[INTERVIEW Part 2] Kwon Sang-woo eyeing acting roles in China2010/06/23, Source, kwon Sang-woo [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]
Actor kwon Sang-woo, one of the most successful stars in both Korea and Japan, has turned his eyes to China as he sets out to expand his acting career to a wider audience in Asia.
During an interview with Asia Economic Daily, the 33-year-old Hallyu star explained he is "looking into a film or drama role for next year in the Greater China region", and that "talks are currently in process",...More

Choi Si-won says "never dreamed of being a singer or actor" 2010/06/23, Source,
Korean singer and actor Choi Si-won appears on celebrity talk show "Win Win" [KBS2]
Super Junior member Choi Si-won, who recently starred in TV series "Oh! My Lady", has confessed that he had never dreamed of becoming a singer or an actor.
"It was not my dream to be a singer", the singer said during an appearance on KBS2 TV's celebrity talk show "Win Win", which aired Tuesday evening. "I just had the dream that I wanted to make my name known quickly and becoming a celebrity was the fastest way to do that, so I went to an entertainment agency",...More

"71-Into the Fire" enters box office at No. 1 2010/06/21, Source,
Official movie poster for "Into Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]
Korean war epic "71-Into the Fire" successfully bowed into the top spot on the local box office over the weekend, pushing back two-week winner "A Story of Bangja" down the chart.
Figures by the Korean Box Office System (KOBIS) released on Monday revealed that the newly released picture, which opened in theaters on June 16, attracted 809,229 moviegoers during the weekend of June 18 to 20,...More

Kim Nam-joo wins grand prize at award ceremony in China2010/06/21, Source,
Korean actress Kim Nam-joo poses with her grand prize trophy from China Entertainment Television(CETV)'s "Top 10 Asian Actors" award ceremony held at Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, China on June 19, 2010. [Wellmade Star M]
Korean actress Kim Nam-joo, who was voted one of the top ten Asian actors by Chinese viewers last week, has won the grand prize at an award ceremony held by Chinese Entertainment Television (CETV) over the weekend, according to her agency Wellmade Star M.
Wellmade Star M announced in a press release that the "My Wife is a Superwoman" actress stole the show as she took the top prize of the event, which took place at Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center on June 19,...More

[INTERVIEW] Big Bang T.O.P - Part 12010/06/17, Source,
Singer and actor T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyeon) [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]
'A rapper with the face of a wolf yet the soul of a lamb'. This exquisite sentence a fan wrote on the Internet may be the most clear description of T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyeon). He is a rapper with sharp eyes and a tough voice but has the sentimentality to like Damian Rice and Labelle. And he is a member of one of Korea's top idol groups but was once a boy who fought against his inner insecurities. That is why it is useless to ask what sort of actor T.O.P wants to be or what project he has planned next as a rapper. Because as he has been doing from his teen years and continues to do so, he will write lyrics to express himself while sitting at his desk. And he said he chose to take on the role of Oh Jang-beom in "71-Into the Fire" because he felt he was looking at himself. 10Asia sat down with the 24-year-old singer and actor to talk about his acting, rapping and Choi Seung-hyeon. 10: How does it feel doing an interview alone, without members of your group Big Bang? T.O.P: I didn't have to talk a lot when I'm with them because there are those who are good at speaking but I have to talk a lot now. I think they'll make me talk a lot when I go back as a member of Big Bang so I think I should do a poor job of speaking at interviews. (laugh),...More

Kim Nam-joo voted top ten Asian actors in China 2010/06/17, Source,
Korean actress Kim Nam-joo [Wellmade Star M]
"My Wife is a Superwoman" actress Kim Nam-joo has been named one of the top ten actors of Asia by China Entertainment TV (CETV), according to her agency Wellmade Star M on Thursday.
Wellmade Star M announced through a press release that the actress will be attending the award ceremony, to be held at Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center on June 19, as well as a press conference with some 100 Chinese media outlets,...More

"IRIS" soundtrack concert attracts fans in Japan 2010/06/03, Source,
The cast of TV series "IRIS" attend its celebratory concert in Japan [Taewon Entertainment]
Korean blockbuster TV series "IRIS" recently confirmed its popularity in Japan at sold-out concerts featuring the main cast and singers who participated on the drama's soundtrack.
According to a press release by the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Tuesday, major Japanese broadcaster TBS had organized a series of concerts titled "Dramatic Live Stage" as part of promoting the show's current prime-time airing in the country,...More

[INTERVIEW] Producer Jeong Tae-won - Part 12010/05/31, Source,
Producer Jeong Tae-won [Beck Una/10Asia]
Some say he is a ruthless producer. Some evaluate him as an intelligent businessman. Some consider him as a brother who knows what being loyal is about. After fearlessly stepping into Jeongmuro [where the history of Korean film started] in his early twenties as a film importer, he later placed his name on the power list of commercial film producers. He also was the chief of an entertainment company which sees large profits from importing major films such as "The Lord of the Ring" series by utilizing his innate business mindset and close relationship with Hollywood's major film studios.
Then he successfully wrapped up production of blockbuster drama "IRIS" last year and in June is set to start filming "ATHENA", a 20-billion won spin-off of the series starring top Korean actors Cha Seung-won and Jeong Woo-seong,...More

"71-Into the Fire" to premiere in Korea on June 162010/05/27, Source,
Movie poster of Korean war pic "71-Into the Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]
The premiere date for Korean war film "71-Into the Fire" has been pulled up by a day to June 16, according to the film's producer Taewon Entertainment on Thursday.
An offical at Taewon explained that they decided to move up the film's release to Wednesday, instead of the usual Thursday, on high anticipation for the film,...More

T.O.P says visits amusement parks wearing masks2010/05/25, Source,
Korean singer and actor T.O.P at a showcase for film "71-Into the Fire" [Asia Economic Daily]
Korean singer and actor Choi Seung-hyeon, better known as T.O.P from idol group Big Bang, has said that he sometimes visits amusement parks with his bandmates wearing masks.
Speaking at a showcase for film "71-Into the Fire", held Monday at Seoul's Lotte World Garden Stage, the pop idol remarked, "When I feel stifled, I come [to amusement parks] to have a good time without people knowing. People don't recognize me because I wear a mask when I come",...More

"71-Into the Fire" sold to four additional countries2010/05/24, Source,
Official poster for film "71-Into the Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]
Korean film "71-Into the Fire" has been sold to another four countries including the U.K., Germany, Singapore and Russia at a film market in France held concurrently with the Cannes Film Festival which ended over the weekend.
The film had been picked up even ahead of its promotional screening at the market by Ascot Elite Entertainment Group which distributes to German speaking countries in Europe and Benelux,...More

The Korean War (1950-53) has unfortunately been dubbed "The Forgotten War" overseas, but for Koreans the deep scar it left behind is still sorely fel,...More

TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for "Fire" (1)2010/05/12, Source,
From left, actors Kim Seung-woo, T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyeon), kwon Sang-woo and Cha Seung-won pose during a photo session of a press conference for film "71-Into the Fire" held at Imperial Palace Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on May 10, 2010. [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]
In August of 1950, when the Korean War was well under way, a letter was found in the pocket of student soldier Lee Woo-geun who died while fighting in a battle to defend the Nakdong River. The letter, which the 16-year-old had failed to send off to his mother, read the following: "Mother, I killed a person. It was such a brutal death. Why do we have to go into war? I'm thinking frightening thoughts. I wish the war would end quickly and feel your warm embrace". Film "71-Into the Fire" starts with this letter. What leads the film is not its blockbuster scale which cost the production 11.3 billion won, nor its extravagant cast. The camera operates in order to shed light onto the existence of student soldiers who took part in the meaningless war yet have failed to be remembered for their sacrifice,...More

TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for "Fire" (2)2010/05/12, Source, kwon Sang-woo [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]
Q: kwon Sang-woo, this is the first time in a while that you got to wear a school uniform for a movie. You're even the same age as Choi Seung-hyeon in the film. (laugh) Kwon: I almost wasn't cast for the movie because of my age. (laugh) My character Koo Kap-jo is assigned to a squadron for student soldiers as he chooses to take part in the war instead of being sent to a Youth Detention Center. He distresses Oh Jang-bum (played by Choi Seung-hyeon) as he tries to motivate him to become squadron leader. Kim: Me and Cha were worried a lot when Kwon was cast. Because he's closer to our age now. (laugh) But I saw on the monitor how he would actually look younger than Choi at times. (laugh) He's the right man for the part and like he himself says, there is no movie where he has worn a school uniform but hasn't done well, so we're looking forward to how "71-Into the Fire" will do too. Q: kwon Sang-woo and Choi Seung-hyeon, you fight each other a lot too in the movie. Wasn't it uncomfortable having to shoot the scene up against a senior? Choi: I was able to learn because he was always teaching me a lot and he would help me relax when I'm nervous. It felt as if I was shooting those actions scenes with a martial arts director because he gave off the vibe of an expert,...More

Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young wed on May 22010/05/02, Source,
Actors Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young at their wedding ceremony held at Seoul's Shilla Hotel on May 2, 2010 [AM Entertainment]
Top Korean actors Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young got married in a star-studded wedding ceremony held at Seoul's Shilla Hotel on May 2, ending months of media frenzy over their 18-year friendship and romance.
The star couple, dubbed Korea's equivalent of Brangelina, held a photo and Q&A session several hours prior to the ceremony, answering questions by reporters about the wedding and their baby -- Ko is four months pregnant,...More

[INTERVIEW] Actor Cha Seung-won - Part 22010/04/27, Source,
Korean actor Cha Seung-won [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]
10: "71-Into the Fire" is in post-production right now. What was it like filming the movie? It must have not been easy -- I saw photos taken on set which basically seemed like ruins.Cha Seung-won: I didn't see a single woman on set the whole time we shot "71-Into the Fire". kwon Sang-woo, T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyeon) and I thought 'Wow this is too much'. (laugh) You'll probably be able to tell from the photos but When you see the behind-the-scenes pictures all you see are men. 10: Maybe that's why Choi Seung-hyeon received so much attention. (laugh) Cha: We all like him very much. There is no reason not to like him. He had a really tough time on set after having been an idol group singer. He would say hello at lunch, sit next to me and eat covered in make-up which makes him look messy. And when I ask him if filming is bearable, he would say he likes it. He's a really good guy,...More

Lee Byung-hun promotes "IRIS" in Japan2010/04/21, Source,
Korean actor Lee Byung-hun in an official poster for "IRIS" [Taewon Entertainment]
Top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun took Japan by storm last week while on promotional tour for blockbuster TV series "IRIS", according to a press release by his agency BH Entertainment.
The actor flew into Tokyo on Saturday, where he was greeted by some 1,000 fans at Narita International Airport, and drew large crowds at various media and public appearances during his visit.
When he appeared as a guest on popular TBS television program "Akko ni Omakase!" on Sunday, several Japanese actresses reportedly paid a visit to Lee's waiting room to see the Hallyu star including Kuroki Meisa, who lent her voice for the drama's female lead, originally played by Korean actress Kim Tae-hee,...More

"IRIS" season 2 starts pre-production2010/04/20, Source,
Official poster for KBS TV series "IRIS" Season 1 [Taewon Entertainment]
Pre-production work for the second season of blockbuster TV series has kicked off amidst much hype and anticipation among fans, according to production company Taewon Entertainment on Tuesday.
Taewon explained in a press release that "IRIS" producers have started the casting process for the next season, even talking with agents for the actors from the first season such as Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hee and Kim So-yeon and considering a new face to appear in the series as well,...More

Top Japanese actors provide voice-overs for "IRIS" 2010/04/05, Source,
Official poster for Korean blockbuster TV series "IRIS" [Taewon Entertainment]
Two of Japan's top actors are on board to provide voice-overs for the local version of Korean blockbuster drama "IRIS", according to Japanese daily newspaper Sankei Sports over the weekend.
Sankei reported Saturday that noted Japanese actors Fujiwara Tatsuya and Kuroki Meisa will lend their voices for the shows' two main characters, originally played by top Korean stars Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-hee,...More

On the set of film "71-Into the Fire"2010/03/31, Source,
The cast of film "71-Into the Fire": (from left) Korean actors Cha Seung-won, kwon Sang-woo, T.O.P. (Choi Seung-hyeon) and Kim Seung-woo [photographed by Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]
Film "71-Into the Fire" - Four flowers blooming on ruined grounds
Quite often there are sets which have many sideshows. And sometimes you may even see sets where there are good actors in a flock. But it is truly rare to come across a set which stimulates all five of your senses. The set for film "71-Into the Fire", which is being shot at Hapcheon Image Theme Park, was one of such cases. What first greeted reporters on the set of a city in ruins was not the fancy cast -- which includes actors Cha Seung-won, T.O.P. (Choi Seung-hyeon), kwon Sang-woo and Kim Seung-woo -- but the smell of smoky gunpowder, sounds of gunfire loud enough to cause tinnitus and the vibrations from on-set explosions which spread through the air and one's entire body. Such things are what is probably needed to reproduce a war setting, however incomplete it may be,...More

The Luxury Properties Owned by Korean Stars2010/03/18, Source, Sports, TV and movie stars are the envy of many, and that has if anything increased with the revelations of their vast real estate holdings. Although such cases are limited to only the highest-paid st,...More

Actor Kwon Sang-woo to make singing debut in Japan2010/02/16, Source,
Actor kwon Sang-woo [MAC]
Korean actor kwon Sang-woo will debut as a singer in Japan, according to a report on Monday.
Daily Japanese sports paper Sankei Sports reported that Kwon will make his singing debut in Japan after releasing a DVD on February 19.
The DVD, titled "DREAM IN JAPAN", will contain the actor's Japanese songs as well as footage from his latest visit to the country.
The newspaper also quoted the actor as saying, "I would like to start my nationwide tour in Japan as soon as possible".,...More

Kim Seung-woo says "Win Win" gave him hardest time in life2010/02/11, Source,
Scene from "Seungseungjanggu" [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]
First, there was rumor it would be the "Kim Seung-woo show". But viewers began to wonder what role Kim would play on show when the names of the supporting show hosts were revealed -- namely TV personality Choi Hwa-jeong, comedienne Kim Shin-young, 2PM member Woo Young and Girls' Generation member Taeyeon. But people then started taking interesting in the talk show "Win Win" when it became known that Kim Seung-woo played the traditional jjanggu in the middle of downtown Myeong-dong one day to 'keep the promise' he made with viewers. Then when it premiered on February 2, the show left a not-so-bad impression, showing promise of becoming competition for other shows aired in the same time slot. Below are exercpts from a joint press conference attended by the cast of the show and producer Yoon Hyun-jun.,...More

[Review] KBS talk show Seungseungjanggu2010/02/03, Source,
MC Kim Seung-woo on "Seungsungjanggu" [KBS2]
"Seungseungjanggu" - First Episode, KBS2 (Tue, 11:05 P.M.)
The first episode of talk show "Seungseungjanggu" presented viewers with 'talk' and much more. A song which was sung by the emcees at the opening of the show, was sung again with revised lyrics and at the end of the show. And those who made surprise appearances in the show started with main show host Kim Seung-woo's friend from army to those related to Kim Nam-joo, the first main guest of the show.,...More

Lee Byung-hun scores triple wins at KBS Acting Awards2010/01/04, Source,
Korean actor Lee Byung-hun at 2009 KBS Acting Awards [KBS]
Top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun won three awards -- including the grand prize -- at the 2009 KBS Acting Awards, held at KBS Open Hall on December 31. Lee was awarded the top acting prize of the year for his role in blockbuster drama "IRIS" and also won the Best Couple and Netizens' Choice awards. "I started acting at KBS", said the actor in his acceptance speech. "When I had just debuted at KBS I heard about the acting awards.. I wondered if I would ever be able to go up on that stage. The very next year, I won the Best New Actor award". He went on to say, "And now I've won Grand Prize on this stage. I'm very touched". He thanked the staff, actress Su-ae who -- believing Lee would win -- sent him a congratulatory text message in advance and his mother.,...More

The past year represented hope and revitalization for Korean cinema. While problems such as piracy linger on, the forecast for 2010 cinema appears promising with diverse projects in the making.

Cineastes are finding inspiration from the past and are bringing rem,...More

Government names Kim Nam-joo top actor of 20092009/12/23, Source,
Korean actress Kim Nam-joo [Wellmade Star M]
Korean actress Kim Nam-joo has been awarded "Actor of the Year" by Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, according to a press release by her agency Wellmade Star M on Wednesday.
The actress received official commendation from the government at the "2009 Motion Pictures Broadcasting Grand Prix Ceremony", held at Seoul's Press Center Wednesday afternoon. She was handed the award by Yu In-chon, a Korean veteran actor who became the head of the Ministry in 2008.,...More

Perhaps a reflection of the growing awareness of an increasingly multiracial Korea, a growing number of foreign faces are appearing on Korean television. More and more Korean dramas are casting foreign-born actors and actresses, although in supporting roles,...More

Love Story2006/09/06, Source, The world prods us to adopt a "cool" attitude. Like all the good-looking men and women in movies, we are expected to date when mutual attraction occurs and say goodbye when it's over. But it's doubtfu,...More

Hong Sang-soo Shoots 7th Feature2006/04/25, Source, Prominent Korean art-house auteur, Hong Sang-soo began shooting his seventh feature film "Woman on the Beach" this month. The director is widely appreciated internationally with retrospectives of his work held in France, throughout the US, an,...More

You may consider giving a second thought, if you have been following the two expectations of "Heaven's Soldiers", a movie scheduled to be released on July 14. The two expectations are: "This movie is funny" and ",...More

The actor Park Joong-hoon has turned forty this year. Despite his youthful vigor, he's now over the hill. In the virtual history movie "Heaven's Soldiers" set to premiere on July 15, he will play Admiral Yi Sun-shin. More

Kim Seung-woo | Community

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I like the way you portray your roles ... no hypocrisy & you make it very real life like. My 2 favorite shows are Mr. Duke (where you starred opposite Choi Ji Woo) and Hotelier (where you played a fantastic role in contrast with Bae Yong Joon). I hope that you will be given opportunities to work together with Choi Ji Woo again. All the best!

Kim Seung-woo (김승우)

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